Clancy's Call: The Belmont Stakes

1. MASTER DAVID -- Poised to pull off the upset after finishing well for third in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes two weeks ago at Belmont. Wood Memorial runner-up had a nice 6-furlong workout Sunday. Skipped Preakness after dull effort in Kentucky Derby that can be attributed to a rough trip and very sloppy track. Though Alex Solis leads all jockeys in earnings this year, switch to Jose Santos is positive because he is based in New York and won this race in 1999 aboard Lemon Drop Kid, who also came out of the Peter Pan. Bobby Frankel, trainer of 2003 Belmont winner Empire Maker, is telling everyone he'll be happy with second place, but he knows as well as anyone Smarty Jones will regress off his huge effort in the Preakness. Post No. 1 has been kind to Belmont runners (23 wins) and this horse's pedigree, particularly on his mother's side, says a mile and a half will be no problem. His dam, Nadra, is the daughter of Sadler's Wells, a preeminent sire worldwide.

2. EDDINGTON -- Looked like one of the best of his generation at Gulfstream last winter but then hung a bit in the final furlong of the Gotham and Wood. Rallied for third in the Preakness after missing the Derby, which might prove to be a blessing today. Had two strong workouts at Belmont recently and appears as fresh as any horse in the field. This is another son of 1990 Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Unbridled, the sire of Empire Maker. Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey goes for two Belmonts in a row aboard a horse that has been in the money in all seven career starts. Don't be surprised if he shows more speed from post No. 8 and keeps the favorite wide for a while.

3. SMARTY JONES -- Might just be the best in a weak year or prove to be one of the greatest 3-year-olds of all time. He has shown outstanding tactical speed and staying power, at least at shorter distances. A wet track would make him even more formidable. If he runs his best race, he becomes the 12th Triple Crown winner, the first since 1978, and earns his second $5 million bonus. He would already be the all-time earnings leader in thoroughbred racing. But this isn't Churchill Downs or Pimlico. This is by far the most demanding of the three races. The four most recent Triple Crown winners -- Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed -- were 2-year-old champions who maintained that brilliant form. He's not in that class yet despite his awesome Preakness. Rude awakening possible for a horse that has the lowest Tomlinson distance rating in the field of nine.